Lions Club Gearing up to Pack Christmas Baskets

The Lake Orion Lions Club is in the final week of preparation for the packing and delivery of Christmas baskets to needy Orion families.

Over $20,000 was raised for the program last month during the club’s annual Christmas For Everyone charity auction at Milosch Palace Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram. The Milosch family and their employees hosted the event, which included a live auction, silent auction, beverage sales, admission and a raffle. Food for the evening was provided by Corleone's Catering, and the Milosch family made a generous donation as well as hosting the event.

The funds raised will help the Lions Club feed over 250 local families. But more is needed, and there is still time to help.

You can still donate non-perishable food items and gifts. Gift items are needed for all ages, infants to adults. If wrapped, they should be labeled with the appropriate age and gender of the recipient.

Items may be dropped off at the library, the Post Office, the Orion Township Hall, Orion Center, Lake Orion village hall,  Lakes Credit Union, Fifth Third Bank, Knights of Columbus Hall on Orion Road, Wonder Cleaners/Laundromat on M-24 in Lake Orion and in Oxford and at the Lake Orion Review.

The Lions Club will even pick up donations this week if businesses or groups hold a food or toy drive. The baskets will be packed Friday at the CERC building on Scripps Road, then delivered Saturday.  If you would like to help or schedule a pick-up, contact Lion Dave Tucker at d_tucker54@hotmail.com or 248-975-6378.

Cash donations are always accepted and can be mailed to The Lake Orion Lions Club, ATTN: Christmas Basket Program, PO Box 255, Lake Orion MI 48362.

The Lake Orion Lions Club has over 65 members and meets first and third Wednesdays each month at Canterbury Village. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information about the Lake Orion Lions, visit www.LakeOrionLions.org.